Summary
- Resume Template
- Formatting
- Writing Your Resume Summary
- Areas of Expertise
- Writing Your Work Experience
- Writing Your Education Section
- Additional Sections
- Resume Points to Remember
- Resume “Don’ts” to Remember
- Some Helpful Tools
Let’s begin with a sample data scientist resume to demonstrate how all the resume pieces fit together. Then we will break each section down to really drill into how to write the best data scientist resume you possibly can.
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Data Scientist Resume (Text Version)
Contact Info:
John Matthews [email protected] 1 (661) 593-0039 Los Angeles, CA 90011 linkedin.com/johnmatthewsSummary Statement:
Data Scientist: Experienced Data Scientist with IBM Certification. Skilled in problem solving and predictive analytics. Adept at working within highly collaborative environments, learning new methods, and adopting data science best practices. Demonstrable history of developing key business decision systems that foster business growth and expansion.Key Accomplishments/Areas of Expertise
- SQL
- Python
- Shell Scripting
- Data Mining
- Analytics
- Detail Oriented
- Optimization
- Communication
- Efficient
Professional Experience:
SLP Communications | Los Angeles, CA Data Scientist | February 2016-Present- Work with team of Data Scientists to solve problems and analyze data
- Employ predictive analytics and machine learning models to utilize data
- Maintain close contact with IT division to monitor model implementation
- Communicate with database using SQL
- Received performance awards for problem-solving and idea implementation
- Developed evaluation approaches based on client needs
- Utilized Python software to explore data
- Analyzed new data sources for model improvements and optimization
- Applied statistical modeling to troubleshoot and solve problems
- Recommended business changes based upon exhaustive data analysis
- Used shell scripting to create commands and execute program development
- Performed data regression analysis to increase company profitability
- Created new algorithms to streamline data analyses
- Implemented predictive analytics to determine product viability
- Met weekly with executives to discuss marketplace strategies
Education/Certifications
Bachelor of Arts, Computer Science UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA Class of 2011 IBM Data Science Professional Certification 2012Formatting
Writing Your Resume Summary
PRO TIP: It can be challenging to encapsulate your qualities in just a few short sentences. So really consider your chief areas and skills. Also ask yourself what type of Data Scientist you are. Skilled? Experienced? Dependable? Answering these questions will help you get started.
Now let’s have a look at some summary examples:Yes!
Experienced Data Scientist with IBM Certification. Skilled in problem solving and predictive analytics. Adept at working within highly collaborative environments, learning new methods, and adopting data science best practices. Demonstrable history of developing key business decision systems that foster business growth and expansion.No!
Data Scientist. Can problem solve and make pretty good predictions. Can work with others and learn fast about new things. I can grow your business through making systems that will profit your business!Areas of Expertise/Key Accomplishments
Example:
- SQL
- Python
- Shell Scripting
- Data Mining
- Analytics
- Detail Oriented
- Optimization
- Communication
PRO TIP: Don’t be shy about listing your top skills. Keep them relevant, but also try and focus on your best abilities. Your skills are what sets you apart from all the other applicants out there.
(See below for a helpful table of some suggested hard and soft skill ideas to inspire you in writing your skills section.)Writing Your Work Experience
- The company name
- Where the company is located
- What job you performed there
Yes!
SLP Communications | Los Angeles, CA | Data Scientist | February 2016-Present- Work with team of Data Scientists to solve problems and analyze data
- Employ predictive analytics and machine learning models to utilize data
- Maintain close contact with IT division to monitor model implementation
- Communicate with database using SQL
- Received performance awards for problem-solving and idea implementation
No!
SLP Communications- I can solve problems and analyze
- Can predict and use machine learning models
- Talked with IT
- Using SQL to communicate
PRO TIP: See the job description for power word ideas. Also select roles you performed at your former positions that most closely fit with the job description.
Bots and an ATS
Try and determine if your potential employer is using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which utilizes scanning bots to evaluate resumes. If an ATS is being used, your challenge will be to satisfy the bots. One method of accomplishing this is to format your work experience section differently. Use paragraphs instead of bullet points.From this:
SLP Communications | Los Angeles, CA | Data Scientist | February 2016-Present- Work with team of Data Scientists to solve problems and analyze data
- Employ predictive analytics and machine learning models to utilize data
- Maintain close contact with IT division to monitor model implementation
- Communicate with database using SQL
- Received performance awards for problem-solving and idea implementation
To this:
Work with a team of Data Scientists to solve problems and analyze data. Employ predictive analytics and machine learning models to utilize data. Maintain close contact with the IT division to monitor model implementation. Another option would be to use a paragraph along with several bullet points to highlight certain roles or accomplishments. Work with a team of Data Scientists to solve problems and analyze data. Employ predictive analytics and machine learning models to utilize data. Maintain close contact with the IT division to monitor model implementation.- Communicate with database using SQL
- Received performance awards for problem solving and idea implementation
Your Education Section
Example:
Bachelor of Arts, Computer Science UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA GPA: 4.0 Class of 2011 Remember to add certifications as well, along with any workshops or seminars that have grown your knowledge base and skill set.Example:
- IBM Data Science Professional Certification, 2012
Additional Sections
Not all of our accomplishments are going to fit onto a resume page. But perhaps there is a particular accomplishment or award you would like to make note of, something that doesn’t fit with the other sections on your data scientist resume. Feel free to make an additional section to list such accomplishments. Example:- Awards and honors
- Publications
- Noteworthy Projects
- Social Media Influence
- Speaking Engagements
- Hobbies/Interests
- Volunteer Work
No Experience
If you possess little or no experience in your chosen field, there are some alterations you can make to your resume. Whether changing careers or starting out, you can still produce an effective data scientist resume that will demonstrate your value. One formatting option is to move your education section – place it under your summary. Since you lack experience, your education is going to do a lot in terms of showing your competency and ability. So you want your credentials near the top of your resume page. Your work experience is going to be comprised of jobs that are not directly relevant to your new field. That’s not ideal, but you can still work with what you have. For instance, you can tailor your bullet points to be as relevant as possible. Think about roles and functions you’ve done that could prove helpful as a data scientist. Have you worked with data before? How about filing and records? Are you familiar with computers and software? Have you ever held a job that involved teamwork and communication? Skill points like these could prove relevant to you in the present! So don’t leave anything out and really consider the experience you do have.Some Points to Remember
Include your contact information
It seems obvious, but sometimes it’s easy to forget. Your resume will do no good for you if they have no way of getting touch. Include your email address, phone number, or LinkedIn profile. Whatever is relevant to your situation.Use space well
A resume is not a lengthy document. So it’s imperative that you get all your important information down. Start with a summary at the top of the page, followed by your skills list, work experience, and education.Use good power words
Power words will give your resume strength and a sense of action. Use a variety of them and your resume will be sure to stick in the reader’s mind.Use a trusted proofreader
Acquiring a proofreader could be invaluable. Remember that you want your resume to be as polished as possible. Don’t submit an inferior document with errors.“Don’ts” to Keep in Mind
No first person language
While a resume is personal in the sense that it’s about your skills and abilities, it should also be a professional document. To this end, avoid using first person language. This means no “I” or “me” in your writing.Don’t exceed a single page
One page is all it takes to communicate your skills and work history. Multiple pages are hard to deal with and take a long time to read.Don’t repeat yourself
Repetition will do you no favors, even if you think you need to repeat something for emphasis. If your resume catches the attention of a hiring manager, they will take time to look it over again. So keep your language fresh. (We’ve put together a handy table of power words below to use for inspiration.)No outlandish fonts or formatting
Since readability is a chief goal, don’t use hard-to-read fonts or odd formatting. Let your skills prove your uniqueness!
Some Helpful Tools:
Data Scientist Resume Power Words
- Work
- Employ
- Maintain
- Communicate
- Received
- Developed
- Utilized
- Analyzed
- Applied
- Recommended
- Used
- Performed
- Created
- Implemented
- Met
- Formulated
Data Scientist Resume Skills List
Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
SQL | Organized |
Python | Optimization |
Shell Scripting | Critical Thinking |
Data Mining | Detail Oriented |
Analytics | Efficient |